ANAHEIM, Calif. — Alex Rodriguez sees no problem with cousin Yuri Sucart being around him, though Sucart was fingered as the person who smuggled performance-enhancing drugs into the country from the Dominican Republic for Rodriguez when he was with the Rangers.

Sucart was spotted at the Yankees’ team hotel in San Francisco Tuesday night and it bubbled into a story because Sucart, who works for Rodriguez, is barred from restricted areas of major-league stadiums, such as clubhouses and weight rooms. He is also not allowed on team planes and buses and the Yankees can’t pay for his hotel room.

“My family is my family and my responsibility is here,” Rodriguez said about the Yankees, who opened a three-game series against the Angels last night at Angel Stadium. “He has been with me since I was born and I love him very much.”

Rodriguez didn’t say what Sucart does for him but it’s believed Rodriguez employed Sucart in order for the cousin to have health benefits.

Rodriguez also doesn’t feel Sucart being around sends the wrong message.

“There are no rules being broken, he stays at his own place,” Rodriguez said. “He is not on the team bus, plane or clubhouse. We are complying with the rules.”

MLB is monitoring Sucart’s whereabouts when he is with Rodriguez.

“I am being very clear, I understand my responsibility,” said Rodriguez, who explained that his mother and daughters will be visiting him soon. “I love all my family very much and I am very clear where I stand today.”

Manager Joe Girardi said he didn’t believe Sucart’s presence was a big deal.

“His cousin showed up and I know there is history there,” Girardi said. “It’s important that we don’t turn our back on our family. I don’t think much of it.”